Interiors guru Lynda Gardener s design tricks for a studio flat with a surprisingly roomy feel - YOU Magazine Fashion Beauty Celebrity Health Life Relationships Horoscopes Food Interiors Travel Sign in Welcome!Log into your account Forgot your password? Password recovery Recover your password Search Sign in Welcome! Log into your account Forgot your password? Get help Password recovery Recover your password A password will be e-mailed to you. YOU Magazine Fashion Beauty Celebrity Health Life Relationships Horoscopes Food Interiors Travel Home Interiors Interiors guru Lynda Gardener s design tricks for a studio flat with a surprisingly roomy feel By You Magazine - May 12, 2019 ‘White is my go-to,’ says Lynda Gardener. ‘It has become my trademark. When I bought this studio in my early 20s, it had dark wood floors and colourful walls. It was my first property and it felt instantly gratifying to completely whitewash the interior and see the space open up.’ ‘Vintage pieces are a big part of my signature style – it’s always been my thing,’ says Lynda. ‘When I started, it was harder to find good contemporary design, but today there is a great choice. I like contrasting things like Moroccan rugs and textured cushions with modern lighting.’ You can find similar rugs at tateanddarby.com. The wooden table is by hkliving.com.au; the sofa is by bisquetraders.com.au. Image: Marnie Hawson Fast forward 30 years and the beach-side apartment, located in the heart of Melbourne’s St Kilda, has recently undergone another makeover. It is one of four properties that Lynda now lets as boutique holiday rentals. Set within a hidden oasis in a block of four 1950s apartments, The Studio offers a leafy escape from the city streets. Lynda’s personal style reflects the laidback, boho vibe of her interiors. The sketch behind her is a flea-market find. Image: Marnie Hawson With a north-facing aspect (which is sun-facing in Australia), floor-to-ceiling windows enhance the feeling of light and space. Mirrored cupboard doors at the end of the studio reflect the plant-filled garden to the side and, by night, open to reveal a space-saving fold-down bed. ‘Good storage is a prerequisite in open-plan, bijoux interiors,’ says Lynda. ‘The only wall in the studio is to the tiny bathroom – clutter is hidden, allowing special pieces to create the wow.’ ‘In Melbourne it is a luxury to have a spacious garden,’ says Lynda. She designed the ironwork door and window bars at the studio entrance. Most of the plants were inherited from her mum. The white chair is from ikea.com; the trolley by adairs.com.au. Image: Marnie Hawson The apartment’s white walls and floors are softened with warm neutral shades and natural textures – a linen sofa, a shaggy wool rug, sisal pouffes, a crocheted chandelier – all punctuated with vintage finds. ‘For me, interiors are about making people feel at home,’ says Lynda, and you can see why her cool but cosy style has gained an international following. A replica Eero Saarinen Tulip table (from templeandwebster.com.au) and Philippe Starck Victoria Ghost chairs add a contemporary edge to the interior. The lush indoor greenery mirrors the garden that surrounds the studio. Image: Marnie Hawson Her passion for sourcing items grew from working as a concept-store merchandiser for Levi Strauss from the age of 19, and her mother was also a big inspiration. ‘Wherever I am in the world I cannot resist the draw of a flea market,’ she says. ‘My mother was very creative and taught me all about scouring markets and buying well.’ Contemporary modern kitchen units and original wooden floorboards painted white create a fresh simplicity. The side table is from ikea.com, the leather chair by barnabylane.com.au. Image: Marnie Hawson After 12 years at Levi’s, Lynda opened her Melbourne vintage store Empire. It ran for 24 years, making way for Lynda’s new ventures: The Estate Trentham – an accommodation, shop, café and workshop experience in the Melbourne countryside – and Inside Story, a commercial and residential design business, set up with fellow stylist Belle Hemming. But although Lynda’s empire has grown, her down-to-earth attitude remains intact and is integral to her success. ‘I feel so lucky to have spent my working life creating beautiful spaces,’ she says. Shop the look Think natural materials and a neutral palette Sofa, £1,395, loaf.com Basket, £85, habitat.co.uk Cushion, £60, rockettstgeorge.co.uk Table, £3,972, conranshop.co.uk Faux aloe plant, £110, trouva.com Rug, £240, designvintage.co.uk Chair, £495, frenchconnection.com Table, £1,185, juliajones.co.uk Pot, £65, amara.com Report by Ali Heath MORE: How to weave white into your wardrobe this summer RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR Aldi s pumpkin-shaped casserole dish is all we want for Halloween 7 of the best money-saving kitchen gadgets to invest in this winter Aldi has restocked miniature velvet chairs and sofas for your dog DON' T MISS Fiona Bruce Sometimes I struggle not to cry November 14, 2021 17 beautiful 2021 diaries to help you to look forward to December 4, 2020 Why women leave men for women What’ s fuelling the rise of April 28, 2019 Hollywood veteran Laura Linney on plastic surgery friendship and her stellar July 3, 2017 You can shop the khaki jumpsuit from Holly Willoughby’ s new M& S July 17, 2019 The secrets and lies behind this happy family photo April 11, 2021 It’ s cocktail hour Olly Smith’ s cocktail recipes and Eleanor Maidment s canapé November 14, 2021 BBC One has revealed its Christmas TV schedule and there’ s lots December 2, 2020 YOU Beauty Box August Reviews August 1, 2017 Rome has been named the cheapest major city to visit in August 7, 2019 Popular CategoriesFood2704Life2496Fashion2240Beauty1738Celebrity1261Interiors684 Sign up for YOUMail Thanks for subscribing Please check your email to confirm (If you don't see the email, check the spam box) Fashion Beauty Celebrity Life Food Privacy & Cookies T&C Copyright 2022 - YOU Magazine. 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